Google Maps responsible for increase in iOS 6 upgrades, data says

It’s no secret that Apple fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite navigation app, and now statistics prove that Google Maps has increased the popularity of iOS 6.

Mobile ad exchange website MoPub released data on Tuesday that illustrates a growth in iOS 6 updates following Thursday’s Google Maps launch. The 12,000 apps supported by MoPub saw a 29 percent increase in unique iOS 6 users in the last five days, TechCrunch reports. Internet marketing firm Chitika noticed a 0.2 percent increase immediately on Thursday, but it’s likely that most users waited for the weekend to install the update.

MoPub’s data can be considered more reliable than Chitika’s since it surveys more than one billion ad impressions each day across 12,000+ apps and a dozen ad networks. Chitika, conversely, is an individual ad network. From Monday to Wednesday alone, MoPub reports that the number of iOS 6 users increased by 13 percent.

“We observed since the launch of Google Maps for iOS 6 a 30 percent increase in unique iOS 6 users, and we think it’s related to Google Maps,” MoPub’s CEO said to TechCrunch. “It verifies the hypothesis that people were actually holding back to upgrade until Google Maps was available.”

Apple users certainly welcomed Google Maps back to their iPhones with open arms, as the app yielded 10 million installs within its first 48 hours in Apple’s App Store. The return of Google Maps could also improve sales of Apple’s already successful iPhone 5, which comes with iOS 6 preinstalled out of the box.

Google Maps has arrived on Apple’s latest platform months after iOS 6 launched with its troubled Apple Maps app. The company’s first attempt at a self-branded navigation app was met with widespread criticism following its release. Although Apple boasted enhanced features such as a 3D Flyover view and turn-by-turn directions, it lacked crucial components such as public transit navigation. Many users also reported that Apple Maps inaccurately labeled locations on its map.

This prompted Apple CEO Tim Cook to make a rare move: he issued a public apology. The company chief admitted that Apple “fell short” on its efforts with Apple Maps, and ensured that the computer design firm was continuously working to address users’ concerns. While Google Maps is now available for iOS 6, Apple Maps still acts as the platform’s default navigation app.